Electronics getting too good ?

[NIMROD]

For many years the good fishermen had several ways to catch plenty without fancy electronics . Many built brushpiles or spider rigged . Things got amazing for those who learned to use simple sonar and GPS to locate drop offs and structure whether natural or man made .
Then side imaging came out and anyone could find about any cover in the lake . This was a game changer but many began scanning lakes for cover instead of working to improve them by building it .
Now the livescope craze has changed fishing completely for many . When it allows us to see what is going on under the water in real time . It has made many poor fishermen into instant catchers . The young guys growing up playing video games shine at using this technology . It will only get better as companies scramble to improve it
I thought it was amazing and even improved my catches but now do I think it is good for the future of fishing ? Not really as it is putting so much pressure along with more fishermen than ever in history . Doubt it will ever be restricted but fishing has changed . The young guys with good reflexes and eyesight are getting too good with the advance electronics . We will see a day when fish and game depts will wake up and adjust regulations or we will start seeing declines in big fish . Crappie are highly prolific but still takes years to grow big one .
Will I stop using the electronics ? Doubtful but they are here to stay so if you don't use them as long as it is legal your handicapping your self . Many old time fishermen see it is like letting the genie out of the bottle , can't put it back the way it was .
There are many haters out there but most fishermen love the tools we have now. This is for getting a conversation started not attacking anyone and please don't , just keep things friendly .

[MNCrappieHunter]

My main issue is the cost of all this new technology. I had to scrimp and scrape to afford a Striker 7CV...on discount.

Livescope or it's like? Not anywhere in my budget unless I win the lottery or something.

[BuckeyeCrappie]

I am in the process of major upgrades to my lil “Scooby Doo Fishing Machine” at 7 Rivers Marine in Coolville, Ohio. My wife and I saved and saved to be able to afford what we wanted and pulled the trigger last spring with Brian@BBGMarine.

I am excited to have some great technology to fish with and I agree with you wholeheartedly that the game has changed. I was reading MRDux’s response to a thread yesterday about snagged fish which gave me insight into why tournaments have that rule. Honestly I would never have thought about people trying to snag a crappie rather than catch it.

For my wife and I the fishing is about time spent on the water together, sharing laughs, the fishing experiences, the possibility of catching a personal best and sometimes bringing home a few for supper or the freezer.

Folks are still out there making cover and putting in the efforts to improve fisheries but I don’t think it is as prevalent as it once was. To me it is really about how we teach the younger generations to fish ethically and responsibly and to respect the sport of fishing. Electronics are just one part of the total fishing experience equation.

[grizwilson]

Here is a webinar, about 45 min of discussion from your Fish and Game folks, they seem to think the crappie are prolific enough to do fine?

Wild Science Webinar: February 2022-Sonars effects on Crappie & North American Model of Conservation - YouTube

[jiggingman2020]

I agree wholehardly . I seen it last spring we have 10 guys in our group one guy has livescope brought in the biggest all 7 days . I cant afford that kind of equiment on my pension !

[jay the baptist]

I watched a few videos on youtube of livescope. I choose not to fish with them. All I see is men looking at a screen putting the bait on the crappies nose. When I youtube now if it says livescope, I go right by it. I fish old style I guess. I will catch less fish, yes. But I don't see the fun in livescope.
I'm no Richard Gene, but I enjoy hunting them and the surprise when I get the thump.
I believe livescope and aquaview will combine and you will see the live picture next.
Sooner or later, people will get bored with fishing that way.

[funfishers]

Maybe the day will come when we can operate our remote control boat from home, fish all day.
Wouldn't make me happy but sure is possible.

[TreednNC]

It's not fun til you have it and it is. It's fishing in a different way. there is a tiny percentage that have fished with and have found a way to afford livescope, that don't like it. Just because you can find them, doesnt mean you can catch them. I was against and had the "oh its just a bunch of people looking at a TV screen and not fishing..." mentality, til one of my units I had before LS died, so I said "might as well buy and not wish..". It's changed how I fish and I have fun in a different kind of way now.

[rufishn]

Maybe the day will come when we can operate our remote control boat from home, fish all day.
Wouldn't make me happy but sure is possible.

Off topic but speaking of remote control. Yesterday at Ft Campbell army base - Black Hawk without pilot.

Fort Campbell flies Black Hawk helicopters — without pilots — for the first time | WPLN News

[jay the baptist]

Fish with drones. LOL
On another note, I believe some guys are starting to pull off their spider rigging equipment because they can zero in on fish with one pole and livescope now. It's just not needed any longer.